I just started to use mine and I can tell you it is a bit scary. It will take time to get comformtable for sure. Those photos did not help
I have one as well. Yes it takes a while to get comfortable - that is normal. But if you use your head and read the operating instructions, they are the safest way to work on a car. I always lift mine until it is just off the ground, then give it a good rock in a few places to assure myself it is not going anywhere. Don't be intimidated by those pictures. How many people crashed cars yesterday? Does it mean we should stop driving? ; ) PS - The second one likely occurred because they pulled the motor and imbalanced it. First - who knows...
Is it normal that the car shakes a bit on the raise and lower? And, it shakes while working on it too - right? I'm sure I'm just parinoid. I lift mine until the wheels are just about off the ground and then I check all of my lift points since it's so hard to see with a low car. I've also designed cradles for the hockey pucks but I've not finished making them yet - see this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/447273-lift-pads-cradles-mohawk-a7-lift.html
Just over 10' the lift can go 6' but with the MGT, I won't be able to get full height. My 355 will be close. Another friend told me it's better to work on the car using a roller chair anyway so the full height is not needed. Plus, if I decide I want it, I can blow my ceiling out since I have a ranch and nothing above. The Mohawk A7 is a great lift but the company sucks to deal with - they are terrible. It's impossible to find a low-ceiling, Asymetric lift other than Mohawk.
I do the same - I actually have to drive my cars onto short ramps to get my bendpak under them. The car will move some sure - you just don't want to see it rocking substantially or appear unstable. If you are still intimidated, I would have a lift service company come out and you put the car on to check operation. He can tell you if you are safe or not. I needed a variety of adjustable extensions, etc to have the right geometry and clearance to get my car on there, and the floor is also sloped. Really annoying, but finally got it dialed in.
Yikes. I have been planning on a Mohawk lift for my new garage (still haven't decided between standard and asymmetric). What makes the company so bad to deal with? Would you still recommend me purchasing one? I really like how "over engineered" their lifts appear to be compared to some others.
Nate, send me a PM and we can exchange email / numbers. Mohawks' customer service is terrible, just terrible. If I had another option, I would have walked away from them. the harsh truth is, no one else makes a low ceiling asymetric lift that does not have a cable passage on the ground. they build a brick **** house but the qualitiy is not great. What I mean is, it will come to you with the paint all chipped and scratched and other issues. PM me.
Bendpak has also been difficult to get right with local installers etc. Going to try an Atlas 4 post for storage. I've heard good things about them and Greg Smith Equipment.
If you have a low ceiling and want a two-post lift, the only answer might be the MaxJax. You can install it yourself if you are handy (the difficult part is drilling the holes on the floor). You cannot stand beneath it, but can use a low rolling stool. It is a treat versus a floor jack an stands. The minus is that it is made in China. Andres
The Mohawk I have (A7) can be installed in 8' ceilings and drilling the concrete is a piece of cake if you have a hammer drill.
The other advantage of the Mohawk is that it is asymetric. From the photos, it seems taller than the Maxjax, Dave. Maxjax calculates the minimum ceiling height needed thus - "The maximum lifting height of the MaxJax with the pad only is 45" / 1143 mm. Take that measurement and add it to the distance from the bottom of the lifting points on your vehicle, to the very top of your vehicle. The total will give you the minimum ceiling height required for your situation."
Yes, the Mohawk columns are just under 8' tall - the maxjack is much shorter. They are totally different products. The Mohawk will lift a total of 6' but that does not mean you need to use the full stroke (which I cannot do with my BMW of MGT). My 355 might make it, it will be close. Asymetric is a nice advantage for sure.
I have owned a set since 05. The worst company I have ever dealt with. Once the purchase was made I got no support! Sat for five years until I founds co. Smart enough to fix them.
A few reasons: I wanted to position the car a certain depth in the garage to allow the max clearance from the back wall (opposite the garage door) to service the car. With that, I have a control joint running down the center (of depth). In order to place the columns away from that joint, and achieve the positioning I wanted, the asymmetric was req'd. The other reason was door clearance. My other reasons are not asymmetric but the other advantages of the Mohawk A7. Trust me, if another solution was on the market, I would have gladly given my money to someone other than the arrogant Mohawk. I despise that company based on my experience with them.
I have an A7, and am fairly happy with it. No major issues with company support in my case. For those considering a Mohawk, don't get the A7 if you can fit the System 1. It has lower lift arms, just as much door clearance when properly installed, and will likely feel a bit less bouncy than an asymmetric lift where the rear arms get extended way out. Plus you can get wheel lift cradles fit storing cars which would be sweet. Like Dave, the main reason I got the A7 is because it is all that would fit.
If I had space and the ceiling height, I would go with a full=size lift and asymmetric arms. A GT40 on a MaxJax at its maximum lift height of 45” will fit under an 85” ceiling with a few inches to spare. It will fit in most garages, and is ideal in mine. The drawback is that you can’t stand beneath it and, if sitting, must use a low rolling stool. The arm clearance from the floor is good. With the jack pads for the 993/996 directly on the arms, the arms slip easily under my GT3, which is fairly low. Andres Image Unavailable, Please Login
FYI. MaxJax on sale at Costco through the end of the month for $1,999.99 including shipping. Save a bunch and get Costco customer service. Thinking on jumping on this. Can I hear the good and bad on MaxJax from actual owners?
Thanks, John. I cleaned up before I took that photo. It’s usually quite disorganized. Peter, the advantages and disadvantages of the Maxjax, in my view, are: 1. It will fit in most garages. The fact that it will means you can’t raise a car full height and stand beneath it. 2. It is not obtrusive as the columns are short. 3. They are bolted to anchors on the floor and are made to be unbolted and wheeled around for storage (there are casters at the rear of each column). I just leave mine permanently in place. 4. You can install them yourself. This depends on your level skill, as it is critical that the holes be precisely bored. The standard hammer drill may not be good enough, and an SDS drill is highly recommended. I chickened out and hired a specialist to drill the holes. 5. The power unit and pump are on a trolley and can be wheeled out of the way when not in use. The hydraulic lines snap on and off and may lay on the floor (some have routed them overhead; I didn’t). 6. It is made in China, but the after-sales support in the U.S. has been very good. Naturally, if you have a large workspace, as the many fabulous garages here, a full-size lift may be the better option. There are several threads discussing the MaxJax and its installation in Garage Journal. They are very informative and useful, so read them if you have the time. Here is one. Maxjax Installs: Post Here - The Garage Journal Board Best, Andy Image Unavailable, Please Login
